The Women’s Tennis Association announced Serena Williams’ official return to professional tennis after she stepped away in 2022.
The legendary tennis player is slated to make her comeback at next week’s HSBC Championships, a WTA 500 event staged at the Queen’s Club in London. The 44-year-old athlete was awarded a wild card to play doubles, according to the WTA. Her partner has not yet been announced.
The G.O.A.T is BACK 🐐@serenawilliams is officially returning to the stage 💚
Watch Serena’s return at the #HSBCChampionships, Queen’s Club from June 8th! pic.twitter.com/aNSswV7bjP
— wta (@WTA) June 1, 2026
Valerie Camillo, Chair of the WTA, celebrated the news, noting the impact of Williams’ return.
“Serena is one of the greatest athletes of all-time, with a legacy that extends far beyond the court,” she said.
“Her return is an expression of her passion for competition, and I cannot wait to see her face a new generation of top players.”
Camillo continued, “Serena is not just a great champion. She’s a successful entrepreneur, a powerful advocate for the issues that matter — and one of the most iconic women in the world. We are thrilled to welcome her back to the WTA Tour at this hugely exciting moment for women’s tennis.”
KEY BISCAYNE, FL – MARCH 24: Serena Williams participates in All Star Tennis Charity Event at Cliff Drysdale Tennis Center, Ritz Carlton Key-Biscayne on March 24, 2015 in Key Biscayne, Florida. (Photo by Larry Marano/Getty Images)
Williams, a mother of two, spent 319weeks as the WTA World No. 1. She currently holds the Open Era record, with 73 singles titles, including 23 Grand Slam trophies earned over an 18-season period.
Her many accolades include 39 major titles and multiple Olympic medals, and she is the only player to achieve a “Career Golden Slam” in singles and doubles. (RELATED: Tennis Stars Naomi Osaka And Taylor Townsend Host Black-Only Dinner Party)
Williams released a video on her personal Instagram account, teasing her epic return.
Fans quickly flooded her social media account with comments expressing their excitement about the news.